Improving teams could cancel each other out in Ukraine

It’s been a positive start for both Ukraine and Serbia in their Euro 2020 qualification campaign, and both will be looking to steal a march on Portugal this next week, who are preoccupied with attempting to reach the UEFA Nations League final.

Ukraine Preview – Can Ukraine stay top of section?

Ukraine currently top Group B having taken four points from their opening two games. Andriy Shevchenko has been in charge for nearly three years now but missed out on the World Cup, narrowly, before a convincing showing in their Nations League group to see them top their section and earn promotion into the top league for the next running of the competition. That in itself is progression, but the real work begun in March as they chase a place in Euro 2020 next summer. A draw away to Portugal in their opening game was followed by a narrow – but very important – 2-1 win away to Luxembourg last time out. A four-point haul form those two games is probably just about as good as they could have hoped for and they now prepare for two home games which could really set them up for a positive qualification campaign. Their form at home under Shevchenko is generally very strong with seven wins from nine games.

Their two defeats have come against Malta, in a massive shock, and the ever-impressive Croatia which proved decisive at the end of their World Cup qualification campaign. What’s also evident from their wins is their ability to keep clean sheets with six of their seven victories coming without conceding a goal. That’s likely to be tested against a dangerous Serbia team on Thursday.

Serbia Preview – Will Serbia continue impressive away form?

Serbia are one of those nations where there is seemingly always chat about how much potential the group have and that they will be a force to be reckoned with for the next major tournament. A lot of this is borne out the fact that that their youth teams have enjoyed relative success but it’s never translated into the senior national team. This current group of players will be hoping it’s different this time around and to their credit, they got off to a very positive start by drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their first, and to date, only group game so far. There is undoubted quality within this squad led by the impressive attacking due of Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic. Tadic enjoyed a terrific season for Ajax helping them to clean up the domestic trophies whilst coming within a whisker of reaching the Champions League final, whilst Jovic burst on to the scene in a huge way with Eintracht Frankfurt, producing performances that ended with a £50m move to Real Madrid.

The two attackers combined for over 50 goals and will now be looking to show a similar level of form as they take the stage for their national team.

Key-Facts – Ukraine v Serbia

Ukraine and Serbia have both already taken points of group rivals Portugal away from home in this section

The hosts have won seven of their last nine at home but drawn three of their previous six allin

Serbia have lost only twice away from home in their last 14 matches

Ukraine v Serbia Betting Advice

I alluded to how important this game could potentially be in the context of the group. That is because of Portugal competing in the Nations League this week. And also because the European Champions have not gotten off to the start they would have hoped for in Group B, giving both Ukraine and Serbia an opportunity to stake their own claim to take control of this section – particularly as they have both already played what should be their most difficult game of this campaign, facing Portugal away from home.

It’s a clash between two teams who are both very confident and demonstrated a real consistency over the last couple of years. Ukraine have been strong at home, as illustrated earlier, but they will be in for a tough game against Serbia. The visitors have lost only twice away from home in their last 14 attempts which is no mean feat in international football. Their last two (against Portugal and Germany) are further indication of how the belief and capability this group of players possess. A draw may not be ideal for either nation, but it would continue their unbeaten start to the group. Three of Ukraine’s last six and four of Serbia’s last seven have ended this way.

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